Ronald Hubert Sims Explained

Ronald Hubert Sims (30 March 1923 – 1999) was a British architect and artist. Influential in the Bournemouth area, he is best known for designing the Punshon Memorial Church^[1] which earned him the R.I.B.A. bronze medal in 1958.^{[2] [3]} The church was demolished in 2015.^[4] In the 1960s, he designed the Broadmead Baptist Church in Bristol - it remains standing and is a fine example of Brutalist architecture.^[5] As well as his practical architectural work, he also spent a number of years teaching as a Professor of Architecture in Lincoln, Nebraska; Austin, Texas; and Waterloo, Ontario.

Early and personal life

Sims was born in Christchurch, then in Hampshire (now Dorset). He married Hazel Sheppard in 1952.^[6]

Examples of Sims' architecture

• Wallisdown Methodist Church (1954);
• Punshon Memorial Methodist Church, Bournemouth (1957), demolished 2015;
• Manor Road flats, Boscombe (1961);
• Lakeside Restaurant, Poole Park (1961).

Notes and References

1. http://www.c20society.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1998-Gazetteer-of-Buildings-of-Christian-Worship-post-1914.pdf 1998 Gazetter of Buildings of Christian Worship post-1914
2. The Architect and Building News, 24th Feb 1960
3. Web site: ITperson . BCS Newsletter July 2015 – Bournemouth Civic Society . Bournemouthcivicsociety.org.uk . 2015-07-24 . 2018-05-13.
4. Web site: Punshon Memorial Church — The Twentieth Century Society . C20society.org.uk . 2018-05-13.
5. Web site: Broadmead Baptist Church, Bristol - Inside A Brutalist Gem. 2020-04-19. The Spoonster Spouts. en-US. 2020-04-25.
6. Web site: Ronald Hubert SIMS. Baker Family History. 7 April 2024.